Modular Solar Simulator With Mobile Sensor Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional solar simulators are limited in their ability to provide scalable and precise artificial solar illumination, particularly for large objects such as solar arrays, building materials, automobiles, and space vehicles, due to issues with spectral distribution, spatial uniformity, and angle of propagation, which can compromise test results.
Innovation Solution
A solar simulator system comprising a support structure with multiple lighting modules, each equipped with a multi-lamp assembly, and a mobile sensor platform that can move within the illuminated area to measure and adjust light intensity and spectrum, ensuring precise spatial uniformity and spectral balance through the use of optical elements and obscurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional solar simulators are used to illuminate large objects, then the illumination area is limited, but the requirement is to accommodate larger objects such as solar arrays, building materials, automobiles, and space vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The solar simulator system is divided into multiple independent lighting modules, each capable of generating illumination. These modules can be individually positioned and controlled to cover different areas, allowing the system to scale from small to large illumination areas by simply adding or repositioning modules rather than requiring a complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If traditional solar simulators are used, then the spectral distribution may resemble natural sunlight, but there are discrepancies in spectral distribution, spatial uniformity, angle of propagation and divergence that compromise test results
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously measure the actual illumination parameters (spectral distribution, spatial uniformity, angle of propagation, divergence) and feed this information back to the control system. The controller then adjusts the lighting modules in real-time to correct deviations from target values, ensuring high precision and reliability of test results.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting modules are designed with adjustable parameters including spectral content, illumination angle, and spatial distribution. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to optimize illumination characteristics for different test requirements and compensate for variations in real-time, maintaining high precision across different testing scenarios.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple lighting modules are used to increase illumination area, then the coverage area is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each lighting module is designed as a universal unit that can perform multiple functions: generating illumination, having its position adjusted, having its spectral characteristics modified, and being independently controlled. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity because the same modular design and control approach can be applied regardless of the total number of modules required, making the system scalable without proportionally increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables scalable and precise artificial solar illumination, ensuring that the light distribution meets predefined specifications across large target areas, enhancing the accuracy of testing for various objects and applications.
Implementation Method 1
solar simulators use artificially generated light, such as light produced by electrically powered lamps
Implementation Method 2
an optical element positioned to receive the initial light beam and output a collimated light beam
Implementation Method 3
a sensor connected to the mobile sensor platform support structure to measure light intensity and/or light spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A solar simulator including a support structure, two or more lighting modules connected to the support structure, wherein each lighting module includes a mounting structure and at least one multi-lamp assembly connected to the mounting structure, and a mobile sensor platform configured to sense light intensity and/or light spectrum.